Atmospheric Black Metal

Vertebra Atlantis – A Dialogue with the Eeriest Sublime Review

Vertebra Atlantis – A Dialogue with the Eeriest Sublime Review

By Dear Hollow on October 26, 2023 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, 40 comments

“A Dialogue with the Eeriest Sublime is pure unadulterated Vertebra Atlantis at its finest. Blending blackened death punishment with the grandiosity of a crashing castle, the doom-laden contemplation of the awe its destruction invokes, the blackened attack that battles ice with fire, and the atmospheric ice that coats every surface, the Italian trio has stepped up everything that gave its predecessor, the great Lustral Purge in Cerulean Bliss, its signature blend of punishing and atmospheric.” Sublime mass destruction.

Lightlorn – At One with the Night Sky Review

Lightlorn – At One with the Night Sky Review

By Kenstrosity on October 24, 2023 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 14 comments

“Beautiful and melodious in equal measure, At One with the Night Sky occupies that stratospheric space where the most ethereal atmoblack resides, evoking more faithfully the ebullient tones of Skyforest and Deafheaven than the tumultuous desperation of Mare Cognitum. Delicate twinkling effects and peaceful dalliances with cosmic ambiance characteristic of Skyborne Reveries further embellish Lightlorn’s high-flying approach.” Platonic forms of beauty.

Félonie – De Sève et de Sang Review

Félonie – De Sève et de Sang Review

By Carcharodon on October 12, 2023 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 5 comments

“De Sève et de Sang (Of Sap and Blood) is the first release by one-man black metal outfit Félonie. However, its progenitor, Marc Bourban, has been on the scene in his native Switzerland for a number of years, notably with Tyrmfar (melodic black metal) and Wizards of Wiznan (sludgy stoner death), handling bass and guitar for the former, and on vocal and guitar duties for the latter. After years playing in other bands, Bourban decided it was time to release something entirely of his own creation and thus was Félonie spawned.” Swiss missive.

Ashbringer – We Came Here to Grieve Review

Ashbringer – We Came Here to Grieve Review

By Carcharodon on September 26, 2023 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Noise, Post-Metal, Sludge, 64 comments

“I have fond memories of Ashbringer’s third record, Absolution. Now, in part, this could be put down to the fact that I wrote the review while sipping an ice cold beer by the river in the picturesque city of Hội An, Vietnam. It could also be because Absolution got me my first Record o’ the Month back in June 2019, a victory that I naturally ascribe entirely to myself, rather than to the fact that Ashbringer wrote a great, progressive black metal record.” Ash fanciers.

Eave – Fervor Review

Eave – Fervor Review

By Carcharodon on July 28, 2023 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Post-Metal, 18 comments

“The almost three years that have passed since Eave’s last album has not seen a dramatic change in style but rather several refinements, including in terms of the songwriting and the production. At its core, Fervor remains an atmospheric black metal record but the melodic elements of Eave’s sound have been upped significantly, without sacrificing the harshness.” Bird fight!

Porta Nigra – Weltende Review

Porta Nigra – Weltende Review

By Carcharodon on July 25, 2023 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Progressive Metal, 80 comments

“The choice of Käthe Kollwitz’s famous Aufruhr (Uprising) as the cover art for the fourth album by Germany’s Porta Nigra is telling in that … hang on, I’m almost sure that … *cue much lip nibbling and skrunkling of eyebrows as I crank my addled memory into second gear*… Panzerfaust!!! You wouldn’t think it would take me quite as long as it did to place the cover art from my 2020 album of the year, the outstanding The Suns of Perdition – Chapter II: Render unto Eden. 2020 was, coincidentally, also the last time we heard from Koblenz’s Porta Nigra, when they dropped the very good Schöpfungswut.” Faust friends.

NONE – Inevitable Review

NONE – Inevitable Review

By Carcharodon on July 10, 2023 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, 21 comments

“Were you to look up the Pacific Northwest’s NONE on Metal Archives because, you know, you wanted to find out something about them, you’d be disappointed. A picture with the faces scratched out, a list of members stated, appropriately enough, as “(none).” The promo materials from NONE’s label, Hypnotic Dirge, tell me that the band is “anonymous” and has “no social media presence.” OK, I get it, these guys aren’t in this for the fame, money, and sex. Fine.” In it for the nothingness.

Ofnus – Time Held Me Grey and Dying Review

Ofnus – Time Held Me Grey and Dying Review

By Kenstrosity on July 8, 2023 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 12 comments

“Hailing from Wales and established in 2021, atmospheric black metal quintet Ofnus don’t even have a page on Metallum, yet are already signed to the well-established Naturmacht Productions. Primed to release their debut record, Time Held Me Grey and Dying, Ofnus aim to tug at the heartstrings and ensconce the listener in vast swaths of despair and grief. Atmospheric black metal is well known as a vehicle for such depressive moods, but we’ve also seen countless albums pass through these halls only to be forgotten entirely, the memory of our experience with them lost to a bottomless void from whence none return.” Get Ofnus my lawn!